The Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has advocated the need for Yorubas across the globe, not to relent in the campaign for self- determination.
The group explained that the development was due to the heightened insecurity that has lead to the invasion of the Southwest by the armed Fulani herdsmen with incessant killings, raping, kidnapping of innocent people, among other evils.
The diaspora group declared that the Yoruba nation was resolved to forge ahead with renewed zeal in realising its dream as entrenched in Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Peoples’ Right.
The group made this call in an eight point communique issued at the end of a virtual conference themed: “The State of Yoruba Nation,” in commemoration of its one year anniversary.
YOV at the conference moderated by Mr. Babajide Akinremi, with participants including students and professionals, drawn from across the world representing six continents,emphasized the need for an immediate referendum to be supervised by the United Nations (UN) on the right to self- determination by Yoruba Nation.
“We urge Yoruba people all over the world not to relent in the irrevocable campaign for Self Determination for Yoruba people.
That the Yoruba Nation resolve to forge ahead with renewed zeal for the Right to Self Determination as entrenched in Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on People’s Right.Immediate referendum to be supervised by the United Nations, (UN) on the right to self determination by Yoruba Nation,” YOV stated in a statement.
In his opening speech, the Iba Gani Adams,Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, urged other like-mind groups both within and outside the shores of Nigeria to join Yoruba One in the quest for the liberation of Yoruba race,saying his position as the Grand Patron of the largest Yoruba organisation in the diaspora is strategic to avail other well- meaning Yoruba sons and daughters the opportunity to play their roles in complementing the efforts of all the members.
Urging the international community to support the call for Yoruba self determination agenda, Adams noted also that with the achievements recorded so far by the organisation, it was obvious that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
“With the success recorded today, YOV had made history, as the largest Yoruba diaspora organization seeking the Yoruba nation self determination agenda. And with this, I have the conviction that we will definitely achieve this lofty dream,” he stated.
One of the guest lecturers, Prof. Ayodeji Agbonjinmi, Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, in his remarks said the Yoruba had in Nigeria’s history became the victims of political instability in Nigeria.
He said Yoruba had always been at the receiving end, maintaining that YOV had made remarkable move to determine the fate of the Yoruba race in the political landscape.
Prof. Salawu Akeem Segun, from Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who was the second guest lecturer at the event, maintained that there was nothing bad in seeking self determination
